Impact of volcanism on the sedimentary record of the Neuquén rift basin, Argentina: towards a cause and effect model

Abstract

The analysis of volcano-sedimentary infill in sedimentary basins constitutes a challenge for basin analysis and hydrocarbon exploration worldwide. In order to understand the contribution of volcanism to the sedimentary record in rift basins, we study the Jurassic effusive-explosive volcanic infill of an inverted extensional depocentre at the Neuqu en Basin, Argentina. A cause and effect model that evaluates the relationship between volcanism and sedimentation was devised to develop a conceptual model for the tectono-stratigraphic evolution of this volcanic rift basin. We show how the variations in the volcanism, coupled with the activity of extensional faults, determined the types of volcanic edifices (i.e., composite volcanoes, graben-calderas, and lava fields). Volcanic edifices controlled the stacking patterns of the volcanic units as well as sedimentary systems. The landform of the volcanic edifices, as well as the styles and scales of the eruptions governed the sedimentary input to the basin, setting the main variables of the sedimentary systems, such as provenance, grain size, transport and deposition and geometry. As a result, the contrasting volcaniclastic input, from higher volcaniclastic input to lower volcaniclastic input, associated with different subsidence patterns, determined the high-resolution syn-rift infill patterns of the extensional depocentre. The cause and effect model presented in this study isolates the variables of the volcanic environments that control the sedimentary scenarios. We suggest that, by adjusting the first order input parameters of the model, these cause and effect scenarios could be adapted to similar rift basins, in order to establish predictive facies models with stratigraphic controls, and the impact of volcanism on their stratigraphic records.

The synrift phase of the early Domeyko Basin (Triassic, northern Chile): Sedimentary, volcanic, and tectonic interplay in the evolution of an ancient subduction‐related rift basin

“…References for sections are: this work (S2, S3, S6, S7, and S8); this work and Cornejo et al., (S10); this work and Suárez & Bell, (S11); Valenzuela, (S1); Contreras, (S4): González et al., (S5); Cornejo et al., (S9) and Tomlinson et al., (S12) (for section locations see Figure ). Different depocentres have been classified as “lower/high‐volcaniclastic” based on the impact of volcanism in the evolution of sedimentary systems (D'Elia et al., ). Lithostratigraphic unit abbreviations are as follow: SJR (Sierra Jardín Rhyolites), CLBF (Cerro La Ballena Formation), CG (Caracoles Group), LTF (La Tabla Formation), PF (Profeta Formation), SVF (Sierra de Varas Formation), CRB (Cerro Rincones Beds), CGF (Cerro Guanaco Formation), LBF (Las Bateas Formation), QSF (Quebrada del Salitre Formation), SCB (Sierra Castillo batholith), MF (Montandón Formation) and PB (Pedernales batholith).…”

“…In addition to their scarcity in the global geological record, subduction-related rift basins are difficult to identify because of their intrinsic relationship to arc volcanism, generating complex stratigraphic records where primary and secondary volcano-sedimentary deposits evolve in tandem (Németh & Martin, 2007;D'Elia, Martí, Muravchik, Bilmes, & Franzese, 2016), in strong contrast to the nonvolcanic basins for which most tectonostratigraphic models have been proposed (e.g., Gulf of Suez and North Sea rifts; Schlische, 1991;Gawthorpe & Leeder, 2000;Withjack, Schlische, & Olsen, 2002). For example, the larger volume and supply rates of sedimentation in magma-rich basins (Muravchik, D'Elia, Bilmes, & Franzese, 2011) results in low accommodation space-sediment supply ratios (A/S) during the syn-eruptive period, creating thick aggradational successions that often interfere with normal siliciclastic or carbonatic deposition (Németh & Martin, 2007).…”

“…Furthermore, new advances in the study of subduction‐related rift basins have highlighted the link between key volcanic parameters (type of edifices, style, and scale of eruptions, etc.) and main features of the basin internal dynamics (synrift stratigraphic infill and subsidence pattern), distinguishing two‐end members models depending on the amount of volcaniclastic input to the basin (low/high volcaniclastic depocentres; e.g., D'Elia et al., ). How can these models be applied to continental subduction‐related rift basins?…”

Sedimentological and petrographic evolution of a fluvio‐lacustrine environment during the onset of volcanism: Volcanically‐induced forcing of sedimentation and environmental responses

“…Milliman & Syvitski, ; Paola et al ., ; Catuneanu, ; Mutti et al ., ; Deino et al ., ), whilst minor consideration has been given to volcanism and relative processes (e.g. Smith, , ; Manville et al ., 2009; D'Elia et al ., ; Di Capua & Groppelli, ). However, as shown in the Cañadón Asfalto Basin, the episodically short‐lived explosive events that characterize explosive volcanism are able to inundate proximal environments with huge volumes of loose volcaniclastic sediments, transporting them across a ‘source to sink’ system for tens of kilometres.…”

Pumice clasts in cross stratified basalt-dominated sandstones and conglomerates. Characteristics and depositional significance: Huarenchenque Fm (Neuquén, Argentina)

“…The morphology of basin floor is constituted by an irregular topography developed on thick Mesozoic sedimentary deposits. The Northern Precordillera of Neuquén, which was produced by a tectonic inversion of Triassic -Jurassic halfgrabens, displays thick Jurassic and Cretaceous deposits crossed by Cretaceous to Palaeogene volcanic and subvolcanic intrusive bodies (D'Elia et al, 2016). The Huarenchenque Fm is situated in a tectonic transitional area in the Neuquén basin.…”